Indiana Public Media News

Hundreds Protest Immigration Bill

By
Network Indiana

Posted March 17, 2011

Opponents say the bill could lead to legalized racial profiling of Indiana's Hispanic population.

Photo: Ben Skirvin/WFIU News

The legislation would give state and local police officers the authority to investigate a person's immigration status.

Hundreds of people spent yesterday in Indianapolis protesting a bill which many say could lead to legalized discrimination against Indiana’s immigrant communities. Republican Senator Mike Delph’s proposal, which is similar to a controversial law in Arizona, would allow police officers to investigate a person’s immigration status.

Alma Rivera, of South Bend, opposes the measure. She claims the bill would lead racial profiling.

“A lot of the people that are being targeted are Hispanic,” said Rivera, ” If your hair is black and your skin is brown, then you’re gonna be targeted.”

However, Delph claims illegal immigration cost the state about 600-million dollars a year in government services. The bill is currently stalled in the House pending the return of the Democrats from a legislative walk-out.

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